Tag: UNESCO

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Makinde receives UNESCO cultural heritage certificate for Sango festival

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has received the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Certificate for the Sango Festival in Oyo.

The Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The certificate presentation was a sequel to the festival, making it to the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity upon the proposal made by Nigeria.

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa had presented the certificate to the Oyo State Government on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival in Oyo town.

Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, who received the certificate on behalf of the state, presented it to the state governor during the Oyo State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

While presenting the certificate to the governor, Dr Olatubosun lauded him for his commitment and unwavering support to all cultural and tourism activities in the state, which eventually paid off and turned the Sango Festival into an international event.

“After the inscription dated 5th December, 2023, Oyo State and Oyo town had the maiden edition of the World Sango Festival in August, 2024 in a grand style with attendance of people from all walks of life as well as envoys from various countries and embassies, and the just concluded 2025 World Sango festival was not an exemption, as there was an improvement on the year 2024 edition,” the Olatunbosun said.

Responding, Governor Makinde expressed his appreciation to the commissioner and his team, saying that their efforts culminated in the recognition of the festival by UNESCO. (Punch)

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UNESCO recognises Sango festival as world heritage

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has formally recognised the Sango Festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, presented UNESCO’s certificate of inscription to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presentation took place at the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival, held over the weekend in Oyo State.

Musawa described the achievement as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s cultural landscape.

She said the feat demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s rich cultural heritage and promoting it as a tool for international diplomacy and sustainable tourism.

The minister commended the collaborative efforts between her ministry and the Oyo community, noting that the recognition aligns with the Federal Government’s broader goals of cultural promotion, employment generation, wealth creation, and community empowerment.

She said, “I heartily congratulate Your Imperial Majesty, the new Sango Chief Priest, the Oyo community, and indeed the entire Yoruba nation on the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival.

“The Sango Festival has now attained global recognition with its inscription by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“This is made possible by effective collaboration between the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Oyo community.

“This milestone firmly places Sango’s rich heritage on the world stage and underscores its importance as a shared global heritage.

“This achievement is a shining gain of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, through our ministry’s commitment to safeguarding our rich cultural heritage as a powerful tool for international diplomacy and sustainable tourism.

“The foregoing further strengthens the foundation of our strong cultural identity, geared towards employment generation and wealth creation for sustainable development, empowerment of the host community, and Nigeria.”

In his remarks, the Alaafin of Oyo expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the ministry for their renewed commitment to expanding Nigeria’s culture and heritage, which he said made this recognition possible.

The monarch also reaffirmed the Oyo Kingdom’s cooperation with the federal government and the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy to further promote Nigeria’s cultural identity globally.

The 2025 Sango Festival, which drew dignitaries from within and outside the country, provided the backdrop for the certificate presentation, highlighting the festival’s significance as a cultural treasure and symbol of Nigeria’s rich heritage. (Punch)